¹⁄48

Grumman A-6E

History

The Grumman A-6 Intruder aircraft was designed as an all weather Attack aircraft for the Navy and Marine Corps, as the replacement for the Douglas A-1 Skyraider from 1963 to 1997.

The Intruder received the new standardised system designation of A-6A in the Autumn of 1962, and entered squadron service in February 1963. The A-6 became both the U.S. Navy's and U.S. Marine Corps's main medium and Night/All Weather attack aircraft from the mid-1960s through the 1990s. A-6 Intruders first saw action during the Vietnam War, where they were used extensively against ground targets. The aircraft's long range and heavy payload of up to 18,000 pounds, coupled with its ability to fly in all weather made it invaluable during the war. The Intruder's large blunt nose and slender tail inspired a number of nicknames, including "Double Ugly", "The Mighty Alpha Six", "Iron Tadpole" and "Drumstick".

The A-6E version was the definitive attack version of the Intruder, which had upgraded navigation and attack systems that were 1st introduced in 1970, and deployed in December 1971. The last operation sortie by VA-34 was flown off the flight deck of the USS George Washington in 1996

By 1979 all A-6Es were upgraded to the TRAM system, which used a small stabilized turret under the nose of the aircraft.

The A-6E was the last variant before being retired. Both the F & G variants were cancelled.

The A-6 Intruder could and did carry every Missile and Bomb (including Nuclear weapons) in the Navy’s arsenal.

The Kit

Hobby Boss had previously released a 1/48 scale A-6A Intruder, which was basically a scaled down version of the Trumpeter 1/32 A-6A. The A-6E was just released, which is basically the A version with the updated parts.

I found the cockpit to be detailed well enough not to need a AM replacement, but did feel that the Quickboost GRU-7 ejection seats were a needed upgrade.

The kit contains the following options:

• 1. Detailed and positional canopy which I left semi opened for a more candid appearance.
• 2. Open or closed port and starboard boarding steps which are built up with some excellent PE parts.
• 3. A choice of a opened or closed Radome with a semi detailed radar detail. I opted to keep it closed.
• 4. Positionable tail hook which I left in the up position. There really isn’t any reason to have it in the down position.
• 5. Positionable wingtip speed brakes which I also opted for the closed position
• 6. Positionable rudder that I stationed in the neutral position for no other reason then to aid in decal positioning.
• 7. Positionable ailerons
• 8. Positionable flaps, slats, in the down configuration, and the flaperons in the closed position as they’re main function are as speed brakes.
• 9. Wings can be positioned folded or extended. I went with them extended for a different look than the norm.

The kit also contains all the parts needed to do the TRAM version with the exception of the IP, but it’s not shown on the instructions. Same goes for the ordinance, as there is a vast array on several sprues, yet some weren’t even used by the Navy like the GBU-8s , and some that were were included but not mentioned on the instruction sheet like a pair of SGM-84 Harpoons, and a pair of GBU-10 Paveways.

The decal sheet has markings for two aircraft, and a fairly complete set of stencilling. I opted for a more colourful version and went with the Fightertown decals sheet #1 for Colourful A-6A/Es.

As I already stated, I opted to close the nose Radome as I wanted the look of A-6E ready for an operational sortie. Instead of the radar I added a 1 ounce fishing weight to make sure that it seats on its gear, and not its tail.

The fuselage is comprised of both right and left halves, and several sections. Once glued up I found most panels were close, but just about all needed some putty and sanding work. The end results were more than satisfactory.

The Slats, Flaps, were dropped into the down position, while the Flaperons were left in the closed position as they would be on the carrier deck. The landing gear was detailed with various brake and Hydraulic lines made from stretched sprue and copper wire.

Painting

The A-6E was painted with Tamiya Acrylic paints. I primed the entire aircraft with Tamiya Gray Lacquer primer, then lightly polished it with 8,000 & 12,000 micro mesh pads. I airbrushed the entire aircraft with Tamiya acrylic paints.

White: XF-2 flat White

Light Gull Gray: XF-20 medium Gray & XF-2 white

The only exception was for the Tan Radome. There I used Mr. Color #318 Radome color, which is lacquer based paint. Thinned with Tamiya Yellow cap Lacquer Thinner I still had some tip clogging issues. Next time I used Mr. Color paints, I’ll be using their levelling Thinner which has a retarder in it.

I prefer NATO Black XF-69 over XF-1 flat black as it has a more pleasing scale effect.

Decals were by Fightertown. All stencilling was done with the kit decals. Decals were applied using the tried and true Microscale Method of Set and Sol.

Build log

For those of you that would like to read through the entire build blog located in the Cold War forum, it may be found here .

Conclusion

The Hobby Boss kit does require a lot of work as there are fit issues, but none that can’t be corrected. Overall, the build took me 3 ½ months to complete. The A-6E now seats proudly next to my F-4B. Would I build another one? Yes. I’m looking forward to eventually building both the A-6A and the A-6E TRAM versions.